More and more people are turning to a sober lifestyle for the health benefits, mental health concerns, or wanting to be more present for important moments. If you are hosting a gathering or holiday dinner, it can be essential to provide options that help sober guests feel comfortable and stick to their sober commitment. With the busy holiday season approaching, getting together with friends and family can be intimidating to someone who does not drink alcohol. Here are some tips on how to be a safe friend and a great host for those in your life who have struggled with addiction or want to adopt a sober lifestyle.
1- Choose A Memorable Theme
A lot of holiday gatherings or friendly get-togethers are centered around food and drinks. Instead of just planning to have people over for a late drink, try planning a party with a full theme with activities, fun appetizers, and eye-catching decorations. A themed party allows you to focus on more than just drinking to fill the time, and can provide ideas for safer drink options like tea, hot chocolate, or mixed sodas. Make sure to choose activities, games, or conversations that aren’t based on alcohol so that everyone feels included.
Some exciting themes that exclude alcohol include:
- Homemade spa night
- Cooking class/competition
- Game night
- Classic movie night
- Garden tea party
- Arts and crafts
2- Serve Creative Mocktails
Having a fun drink doesn’t have to be limited to alcoholic beverages. Many people enjoy seasonal coffee, sodas, or mocktails, so including some of these in your gathering can make your sober guest feel safe. Creating fun mocktails can be a safe and fun way to limit alcohol consumption, but still allow those creative drink makers to shine.
There are many different mocktail recipes online that can be customized to fit your theme or the current season. Fruit spritzers, virgin pina coladas, frozen soda slushies, shirley temples, or frappuccinos are some great options that can keep the fun going without the risk of a hangover.
3- Be A Buddy/Accountability Partner For Your Sober Guest
The best way to ensure you are a great sober host is to have clear communication with your friend or family member, allow them an out, or help them stay accountable if they are tempted to drink. When someone who is starting out on their sobriety journey has another person who is also avoiding alcohol can help them feel less alone. Stay side by side with your friend and help them steer clear of peer pressure or provide distractions from drinking. Accountability partners can help encourage you during tough times, so if you are a host who is inviting sober guests, allow them to bring a sober friend or their designated accountability partner if you want them to feel safe at your party.
4- Provide Flexibility And An Easy Out
It can be anxiety-inducing for a recently sober person to attend a party or be in social situations with those who are drinking. If you want to be a good host, allow the sober guest the opportunity to back out without judgment. Be flexible with your expectations and don’t make a sober guest feel bad for leaving early or declining the offer altogether. Oftentimes, being invited to an event is just as important as going to the event itself, so if a friend declines your request, it doesn’t mean they didn’t appreciate it.
Especially if your gathering features alcohol, you should provide the opportunity for a sober guest to back out at the last minute. Sobriety and recovery are not linear journeys, so your friend may not feel confident enough that day to resist the temptations.
Addiction Recovery From Red Willow Counseling And Recovery
Red Willow offers a variety of services to help with mental health struggles, grief, substance abuse, or addiction. Our team approaches every situation with care and compassion while also providing the resources needed to help you improve your life. Red Willows specialists will help you develop a well-balanced life full of happiness, coping skills, and trusted therapeutic relationships. There are many benefits to seeking help from a professional, especially for those who are unable to break their addiction on their own. Reach out to our Salt Lake City, Park City, or Murray location to learn what we can do for you.
